Friday, December 19, 2025

Middle East

28 children killed daily in Gaza: UNICEF

An average of 28 children are being killed each day in Gaza amid Israel's restrictions on the delivery of direly needed humanitarian assistance and a collapse of vital services, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced.

Kurds, Syrian government forces clash in Aleppo province

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported that armed groups linked to the country’s security forces attacked several of its positions in northern Aleppo province, at a time when Syria’s fledgling government is facing setbacks in its efforts to unify the nation.

Lebanon’s president vows justice ‘without exceptions’ 5 years after Beirut port explosion

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun vowed Monday to apply justice as he marked the 5th anniversary of the Beirut port blast.

More than 600 ex-Israeli security chiefs appeal to Trump to end Gaza war

Over 600 former Israeli security chiefs urged US President Donald Trump to help end the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

Survey shows declining trust in Israeli government, army

An opinion poll has revealed a sharp decline in public trust in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his government, and the army.

Hamas says open to delivering food to Israeli hostages in Gaza

Hamas has announced it is open to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delivering aid to Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated he requested the Geneva-based international organisation to step in.

Dozens dead after migrant boat sinks off Yemen

A shipwreck off Yemen has killed at least 68 people, the United Nation's migration agency announced Monday, with dozens still missing after the boat carrying mostly Ethiopians sank.

Four killed after armed groups attack Syrian security forces

At least four people were killed after armed groups attacked Syrian security forces in the southern province of Sweida.

Israel closes almost 90% of cases of alleged war crimes or abuse without charges: Report

Nearly nine out of 10 Israeli military investigations into allegations of war crimes or abuses by its soldiers since the start of the war in the Gaza Strip have been closed without finding fault or left without resolution, according to a conflict monitor.

US gave $3mn in Gaza food aid, contradicting Trump’s $60M claim: WaPo

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed Washington provided $60 million in food aid to the Gaza Strip, but The Washington Post daily in a report published Saturday said only $3 million has been disbursed so far.

6 more die of starvation in Gaza, taking death toll to 175

At least six more Palestinians died of malnutrition in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry in the besieged enclave announced on Sunday.

Saudi Arabia executed 230 people in 2025: AFP

Saudi Arabia has executed eight people in a single day, state media reported, amid a surge in the use of the death penalty in the Persian Gulf monarchy particularly over drug-related convictions.

Damascus government, Kurds trade blame over northern Syria attack

Syria’s Ministry of Defence has accused the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) of carrying out a rocket attack on a military position in northern part of the country, injuring four army personnel and three civilians.

Massive rally in Tel Aviv demands prisoner swap agreement with Palestinians

Tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrated in central Tel Aviv on Saturday, demanding a prisoner swap deal with Palestinian factions that would secure the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas dismisses US claims it offered to disarm in exchange for ceasefire

Hamas has denied a claim by the United States special envoy to the Middle East that it was preparing to disarm in exchange for an end to the war in the Gaza Strip.

Investigation finds Israeli soldiers shot 95 Gaza children in head or chest in over 160 examined cases

The BBC World Service reported it compiled evidence on over 160 cases where children were shot by Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip, and found that in 95 cases, the children were shot in the head or chest.

Another US citizen killed in Israeli settler attack in West Bank

The family of a United States citizen who was killed in a settler attack in the occupied West Bank urged the administration of President Donald Trump to open its own investigation into the incident.

Death toll from starvation in Gaza reaches 169

Seven more Palestinians, including a child, died from starvation and malnutrition in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, according to the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave.

Hamas links truce negotiations to aiding Gaza as Israel abandons ‘partial deals’

Hamas has made resolving the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip a precondition for engaging in further ceasefire talks, as Israeli sources indicate that the framework for a partial agreement may be abandoned.

Gaza Children dying at ‘an unprecedented rate’: UNICEF

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged the international community to act swiftly to prevent the mass death of children in the Gaza Strip, where conditions continue to deteriorate amid Israel’s ongoing war.

Slovenia becomes first EU state to impose arms embargo on Israel

Slovenia has imposed an arms embargo on Israel citing the European Union's failure to take action to stop Israel's onslaught on the Gaza Strip.

US imposes sanctions on Palestinian officials over ICJ and ICC cases

The United States announced that it was placing sanctions on officials in the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) over their work taking Israel to international courts.

Gazans ‘very hungry’: Trump

US President Donald Trump has acknowledged the extreme hunger being experienced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip amid Israel's ongoing restrictions on the delivery of direly-needed humanitarian assistance.

Over 18,500 children killed by Israel in Gaza since start of war: Health Ministry

The Israeli army has killed 18,592 Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip since October 2023, according to official data from Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Lebanon’s president unveils draft response to US plan for disarming Hezbollah, calls for army monopoly on weapons

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday unveiled key elements of a draft response to a US proposal on disarming Hezbollah, stressing the army should hold weapons as the country seeks to restore sovereignty and stability.

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